MICHAEL Massiah, 62, of 13 ‘D’ Farm Public Road, East Bank Demerara, was yesterday fined $15,000 with the alternative of three months imprisonment for simple larceny.

He pleaded guilty to the offence before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, admitting that the day before, in Camp Street, he stole a bed sheet set valued $6,490 from Kissoon’s Furniture Store.

Police Sergeant Kevin London, prosecuting, said the prisoner appears in Court regularly on similar charges.

The Prosecutor said employees saw the merchandise protruding from a bag Massiah was carrying as he walked out of the store.

Asked why he committed the crime, Massiah said he would have sold the booty to get money for food.

But the Prosecutor pointed out that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been making great efforts to provide for the less fortunate, and that a night shelter and Food for the Poor are available to help.

London said the defendant is not interested in being helped, and that his mind is bent on taking things that do not belong to him.

Massiah claimed he went to the Ministry several times, but was always advised to return another time.

He said he also filled a number of forms, but has not yet received any assistance.

Before imposing the fine, the magistrate remarked that Massiah would get tea, breakfast and dinner at a place where she could send him.